In the first election (1898), Pearce, a star in the not very well organized/documented 1860s received one 15th place vote - finishing tied for 29th. He was behind 16 players that are still not HoMers in that inagural tally.

At the time of his death in 1908 (he was 72) his support had grown - but his election still appeared quite unlikely. He had finished 19th in the most recent election, named on just 12 of 42 ballots. Nine future HoMers were ahead of him; as were 9 others who still haven’t been elected, including: Hugh Duffy, Hughie Jennings, Cupid Childs, Mike Tiernan, Pete Browning, Lip Pike, Ed Williamson, Mike Griffin and Jim McCormick.

In 1925 his candidacy got a shot in the arm, he was named on 7 additional ballots (there were two new voters), up from 19 to 26. From there it’s been a steady rise to the top - he was named on 40 of 53 ballots this year.

Dan Greenia cast that lone vote for Pearce in 1898, but the most fervent support has come from John Murphy. If not for this early shred of light but intense support, Pearce likely would have slipped into obscurity. Now he’ll be the example people point to when they have a ‘pet’ candidate. More importantly he’s a great example of how this group will listen to the case for anyone, if someone is willing to make the case and it makes sense.

Rube Foster shot from #8 to #2 this week, the biggest such one-year jump (to near the top of the ballot) that I can remember. George Van Haltren finished 3rd, just two points behind Foster.

Clark Griffith moved past Lip Pike and Jake Beckley into 4th place. Pike moved past Beckley as well and into 5th.

Harry Hooper, Bobby Veach and George Burns join the ballot for 1931. Also joining is real life Hall of Frischer . . . I mean Hall of Famer Rube Marquard, who wasn’t too deserving and doesn’t figure to get much support here.

We’re only electing one this year. Will it be one of the ones mentioned above or a top holdover like Dickey Pearce, George Van Haltren, Jake Beckley or Lip Pike?

Jimmy Sheckard and Bob Caruthers have been elected to the Hall of Merit. Like 1929, two players who had been waiting awhile were finally elected.

Sheckard, the top runner-up in 1929, was elected in his 12th time on the ballot.

Caruthers had been eligible since the 1899 election and was elected posthumously in his 32nd try (he died at the age of 47 in 1911). Parisian Bob finished 11th in 1899, three players that he outpointed that year have been inducted; Charlie Bennett (12th), Cal McVey (15th), and Pud Galvin (16th).

Dickey Pearce, who finished 64 points behind Caruthers is the top returning vote getter for 1931. George Van Haltren leapt into 4th place, edging Jake Beckley by two points and Lip Pike by 18. Clark Griffith, Rube Foster, Jimmy Ryan and Hughie Jennings rounded out the top 10.

Sorry it’s late guys - I’m pretty sick right now, and I had some personal errands that couldn’t wait today (amazing how that always happens when you’re least up for it) and this completely slipped my mind . . . find me at SABR if you’re there and say hello . . .